File.



G. B. ULRICH.

FILE.

APPLIQTION FILED MAY 21. 1914. 1,121,151 Patented Dec. 15,1914.

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CHARLES B. ULRICH, or HoUGH'roN. ivrrciimiia...v

FILE.

:specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 1,5, 1914.

Application led May 21. 1914, Serial No, 859,944.

are to be filed in classified arrangement in substantially verticalposition.

In carrying out my invention I employ a plurality of expansiblepartitions for use in' the drawer or casing of the file, whichpartitions serve in part as separating guides for classifying thecontents of the file.v

These partitions are constructed with a double wall closed at-the top,and with the expanding device contained between said walls, so. that theouter surfaces of the partition walls are smooth and uninterrupted,

and they alone therefore engage the edges of the papers or other mattei'being inserted in place between adjacent partit-ions.V

"llie partitions constructed as referred to may be made and used asseparate units, or, if preferred. a plurality of such partitions may beused as a built-up unit by connecting the walls of said partitions attheir lower edges by means of yielding material to accommodate betweensaid partitions varying thicknesses of inatterto be filed. dditionalsingle wallpartitions may lbeinserted between adjacent walls of theconnected double wall partitions. and if Vdesired these single wallpartitions may be connected at their lower edges with the' yieldingmaterial connecting said ldouble wall partitions so as to forma'plurality of separated filing receptacles between adjacent walls ofthe double Wall partitions. One or more of these single wall partitionsmay extend in part through or below the yielding material if desired tobe engaged by. ,tlieIi'etaining rod usually employed in tiling cabinets.and for such a construction of cabinet is it advisable in using theseparate double wall partitions to extend a portion ofone or both of thewalls of eaclnpartition to he engaged by said retaining rod. In anyevent it is desirable to retain the partitions in place in the/tilingcabinet, so that the contents of the file vcannot work under the loweredges of the partitions, and thus leave the partitions so that they areraised'- to a position in the cabinet or drawertOA interfere withclosing the cabinet or drawer,l

and to interfere also with the proper operationof the partitions as themeans for. separating and classifying` the contents of;

the file.

For filing` cabinets in referred to as connecting the lower edges ofadjacent walls of the double partitions, serves to hold the partitionsin proper position in the receptacle since the contents of thereceptacle rest upon the yielding material above referred to asconnecting the lower edges of adjacent walls of the double partitions.

In carrying out my invention the doilble partitions above referred toare preferably. constructed of thin flexible material suchas pressboard.fiber. or thin sheet metal, folded so that the fold will constitute thewhich a retaining.: rod is not used, the yielding material above outeredge of the partition, or sheets ofmaterial may be employed having their,outerA- edges secured together, so that the papers or other matter tobe filed cannot be inserted between the two walls of any 'one of thedoublewall partitions. Any material may be used in making the doublewall parti-A tions which will give the partitions` suii-d cient body sothat they will retain their proper position to separate the contents ofthe le and at the same time permit of sui- V cient flexure of thepartitions under the ac tion of the spring device contained between thetwo Walls of each Adouble partition sicy that the double partitions mayexpand under the action of such spring device and4 completely occupy atall times all of the space in the receptacle which is not yoccu-l piedby the matter filed between the said partitions. Any spring device. asdesired, may be used for expanding the double partitions, and with. myconstruction 1t is not block of any description for compressing 100necessary or desirable to employ a follower the contents of the file, asthis is taken care i of automatically at all times by the expandingtendency of the double wall partitions under the action of the springmechanism contained between the walls of 'said partitions. r

The outer edges of the partitions preferably are' provided. with indextabs or index label holders for readily indicating 'the classificationof the contents of the file;-

and to secure this result I preferably employ a form of index labelholder or tab in connection with the double wall partitions, which willbesides serving as an indication of the classification arrangement,reinforce" and strengthen the joint at the upper edge of the double Wallpartition.

l I also employ a novel construction of rek inforcing device for use'with filing drawers or receptacles equipped with retaining rods.I sothat the same device constitutes a reinforcing means for the tongueextending from the partition wall for engagement with lthe .retainingrod, and also reduces the area ofy'contact for the partition walls 'uponthe bottom of the receptacle to a minimum, thus reducing the friction ofpart-itions upon. the bottom of the receptacle when the partitions aremoved longitudinally l thereof.

In carrying out my 4invention l do not limit myself to any particularform of spring mechanism between the walls of the double partitions; butit is desirable in any event that the spring mechanism employed shallYbe of such nature and construction that it can be collapsed into aminimum thickness without 'passing the elastic limit of the spring.

The several drawings illustrating my invention are as follows:. 4

Figure 1 shows a file receptacle in longitudinal sectional view witheXpansible partitions of the' various kinds above referred to in placetherein. Fig.v 2` is a transverse sectional view of the parts shown inFig. rl, taken along the line 2-2. Fig. 3 is an enlai'ged detail view ofthe reinforcing 'eyelet mechanism employed in. connection with thetongues extending from the partition walls to receive the retaining rod.Fig. 4 shows in :in-enlarged det-ailr View taken similarly to Fig-1,'the construction employed where 'single Wall partitions are insertedbetween double4 .wall partitions, having theirlower edges .i connectedby the yielding material. Fig. A5 is a View from the left hand of theparts lshown in Fig. 4, Fig. 6 shows in a perspective vview thereinforcing mechanism shown in Fig. 3, before it is foldedl aroun thelower edge .of the projecting tongue o the partition wall. Fig. 7 showsin a detail View the construction of tab or index label holder employedupon the upper edge ofthe partitions; and Fig. 8 shows in a view similarto Fig. l a double partition equipped with a different formof springmechanism from that shown in Fig. l.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the file casing l containsa plurality ofdouble partitions and '25,1 the two walls of each `of which .aresecuredY together at theirouter ed es $5. so astocenstitute--acontinuous connection held in position between ltents of the file.

'additional springs between the double partitions as indicated at 5.v

between the two walls of the partition.. This construction may besecured by folding a. sheet of the material of which the partitions aremade, or bysecuring together at their outer edges two sheets of saidmaterial to form the, double wall partition. The material used may bepressboard, vulcanized liber, thin sheet metal, or any material whichhas sulicient body or substance to stand as a partition in thereceptacle while supported upon the bottom thereof, and at the same timehas suiiicient fiexibility to permit lthe double wall partition to eX-pand to occupy its portion of the receptacle when nothing is between anyof thepartitions of said receptacle. Each ofy the double wall partitions2 has disposed between its two walls and near the bottom thereof aplurality of springs 3, and each of the double lwall partitions hassimilarly disposed a plurality of springs 3a.. These springs inA Figs. 1and 2 are shown as of lielico-spiral construction so that they may becompressed to a thickness not eX- ceeding the diameter-of the wire ofwhich the springs are made. lThe springs are the walls of the partitionby engaging one of the walls, preferably as indicated in Fig. 2 bypassing through two short parallel slits formed through said wall. forsecuring the springs in place which is at once cheap and effective. Thediameter of the springs is preferably large relatively to the diameterof the wire from which' they are made, so that they will have a'wideThis makes a means1 range of expansion `without interfering in any waywith 'compressingr the spring into a single plane, and thuscachdoublepartr tion is readily given such a range of eXpansion that it willfill its portion of the receptacle and still exert sufficient pressureoutwardly on the walls of the double partition to securely hold a singlesheet of paper in position between the partition and the adjacentpartition.

y forming the springs of a. comparatively large diameter it is foundthattwo' springs of the kind described will operate satisfactorily inconnection with each double Wall. partition. It is 'not necessary, how-Yever, thatthis number be employed, as for example., when filing papersthat are of uniformsize, and of substantially the maxi-l mum size thatthe file is intended to re- 'cei'vc,v a single spring. of somewhatlarger diameter, centrally dlsposed between the walls'of the doublepartition', will serve to give the necessary compression to the con- Onthe other hand, for some purposes it may be desirable, particularlywhere 4the contents of the ilea :e 1rregular inV character and size,A toemploy the two walls of mo1e,. ifas much, room in the receptacle as-sthe' follower block mechanism, and in consired, the entire remainingcapacity of the With lthe ile Substantially as full as any file can -befor eiiicien-t operation, additional iile matter may readily be insertedby separating the adjacent partitions at their Iouter edges, which couldnot be accomplished if compression were secured by a follower blockadjusted to various positions according to the contents of the file tosecure the necessary compression for `such .conditionsy to hold thecontents securely in place.

By my invention there is no. possibility of inserting the iiled mattei'into the spring mechanism, but, on the other hand, the only surfacesbetween which such matter can be inserted, are smooth and continuous andoi'- fer a substantially uniform resistance to the insertion orWithdrawal of the contents of the tile, indicated at 18.

Each of the double Wall partitions, as well as each of the single wallpartitions, is preferably provided a its. outer edge with an index. tabor inde label holder 19, formed.

as indicated in Figs. 2 and 7, from a thin sheet of metal, or othermaterial, folded upon opposite sides of the partition and securedinplace by eyelets 20, formed from one Wall of the tab or label holderand extending through the partition and other Wall of said tab or'labelholder, and eX- pandedl on their outer ends to lsecurely bold the tab orlabel holder in position, and strengthen the outer edge of thepartition.

Either a permanent designation or tab may be mounted in or on 19, or anaperture, or apertures 21, may be provided in the wall's thereof todisclose an index label which may .be inserted between the Walls of saidholder.

Asshovvn in Fig. 8,at springs QQfmay be employed between the two 4.Wallsof the double. partition 2b to secure the expansion ofsaid partition,instead of the springs of theform shown in Figs. 1 and 2, although thesprings shown in Figs. 1 and 2 give more uniform compression.

While thefle receptacle shown in Fig. l

is ofthe' ordinary'drawer type and the par- .titions are ,shown asresting upon the bottom of the drawer, Ait will be understood that theconstruction of expanding partitions is also applicable to receptacleshaving the outer edges ofthe partitions at the side of the receptacleinstead of at the top, which resuit v would be secured by simply turningconstructing the reduce the friction at the bearing points to a minimum,projecting points are formed on the edges of the partitions, asindicated at 23 and 24.-, which will come in contact lwith the top orbottom of thereceptacle, according to the position of e p atitionsin theopen-sided receptacle and thus prevent the partitions from bearing atmore than these points. .Additional projecting points 25 are preferably.provided atthe inner edgesof the partitions, so as to prevent the inneredges from bearing on the corresponding side of the receptacle forany-positionthe partitions may assume therein. A

Elongated slots in the tongues 8 a1-erprovided, so that the partitionsmay be inclined to a considerable degree to examine the con-v tents ofthe file at any particular' point Without causing any binding Whateverofthe partitions against the retaining rod (i, and in carrying out myinvention it will be 'un` derstood that the spring compression shouldpreferably be a maximum somewhat below the middle of the partitions, as'the maximum tendency of the contents of the file to spread thepartitions is "exerted at that point rather than at some higher pointingthe file.-` While the expansible partitions have been.

described as provided with auxiliary spring mechanism, of one kind oranother, for expanding them to till the'ile at all times, it will beunderstood that these I auxiliary spring devices may ,bedispensedwithfby artitions themselves of thin spring materlal, as thinsheet steel or brass having. the proper conformation.- and .therequisite amount ot resilience to entirely fill .the ,file at all times.

While I have shown my invention in :the particular embodimentsdescribed, it' will be understood thatI do `not limit myself to theseconstructions, butfthat I may use .any equivalents' of thesedevioeswithout departing from the spiritfof my invention.,

What I claim isj: 1In Aa file, the combination-.oit a receptacle open atone side, anda plurality` of expanding double Wall .partitions restingupon one of thewalls of said.l receptacle,

the outeredges vof saiddouble Wallsof eachL partition bein closed toprevent inserting papers and oter matter v.between said walls of anypartition. l,

2. In a le, the combination of a receptacle, a plurality ofldoubleWallSpartitions 1n said-receptacle, the Walls of each'partition beingjoined at their outer edges, and spring mechanism carried by each of thepartitions between its walls tending to eX- pand said partitions.

3. In a Gle. the combixration ofiiirecep# iso tacle or en at one side, aplurality of expanding double Wall artitions resting upon one ofV thewalls of said receptacle, the outer edges of said double walls of eachpartition 5 being closed to prevent' inserting papers and other matterbetween said walls of any partitionand a retaining rod carried by thereceptacle and .engaging said partitions to prevent their removal fli'omsaid receptacle. 10 4. In a file,the combination of a receptacle, aplurality of .double Wall partitions in said receptacle, the Walls ofeach partition being joined at their outer edges, spring mechanismcarried by each of the partitions between its walls tending to expandsaid partitions, tongues extending from'said partitions, and a retainingrod carried by said receptacle and engaging said tongues.

5. In a file, the combination of a recep`I tacle open at one side, aplurality of expanding double wall partitions resting upon one of thewalls of said receptacle,

the outer edges of said double walls of each .partition being closed toprevent inserting papers and other matter between said walls of any7partition, and a retaining rod carried by the receptacle and extendingthrough both walls of each partition.

6. In a file, the combination of a receptacle, a plurality of doublewall partitions in said receptacle, the Walls of each 'partition beingjoined at their outer edges, a tongue extending from each Wall of eachpartition, and a retaining rod carried by the receptacle and passingthrough said tongues.

7. In a file, the combination of a receptacle, a plurality of doubleWall partitions in said receptacle, the walls of each partition beingjoined at their outer edges,

spring mechanismcarried by each of the partitions between its wallstending to eX- pand said partitions, tongues extending from saidpartitions, a retaining rod carried by said receptacle and engaging saidtongues, and a member carried by each tongue for reinforcing the rodopening and stifl'ening said tongue.

8. In a file, the combination of a receptacle, a plurality of-doublewall partitions in'said receptacle, the walls of each partition beingjoined at their outer edges, a tongue extending from each wall of' eachpartition, a retaining rod carried by the receptacle and passing throughsaid tongues,

and a metallic member folded around each tongue to stifien said tongueand form a reinforced edge around the rod opening in j said tongue.

9. In a file, the combination of a receptacle, a plurality of doublewall partitions in said receptacle, the walls of each partition beingjoined at their outer edges, a tongue extending from each Wall of eachD6 partition, a retaining rod carried by the receptacle and passingthrou h said tongues, and a metallic member fol ed around each tongue tostitfen said tongue and form a reinforced edge around the rod opening insaid tongue, said member having edge beads to support the weight of thcpartition from the receptacle and reduce the friction of saidpartition'thereon.

10. In a file, the combination of a receptacle. a plurality of doublewall partitions insaid receptacle, the walls or' each partition beingjoined at their outer edges, a tongue extending from each wall ci: eachpartition, a retaining rod carried by the receptacle and passing throughsaid tongues, and a metallic member folded around each tongue, saidmember having a tubular extension from one wall extending throu h saidtongue and expanded on the opposite side of the other wall of saidmember, the 8l bore of said extension affording a clearance around theretaining rod sufficient to permit inclining the partition walls toinspect the contents of the file, said member extending onto the bodyportion of the par- 99 tition wall to prevent bending of the tongue Yrelatively thereto.

11. In a "file, the combination of a receptacle, a plurality of doubleWall partitions in said receptacle, the Walls of each partition beingjoined at their outcry-ed s, a. tongue extending from each wallI o eachpartition, a retaining rod carried by the receptacle and passing throughsaid tongues, and a metallic member folded around each 100 tongue, saidmember having a tubular eX- tension from one wall extending through saidtongue and expanded on the opposite side of' the other wall of saidmember, the bore of said extension affording a clearance around theretaining rod sutiicient to permit inclining the partition Walls toinspect the contents of the file, said member extending onto the bodyportion of the partition wall to prevent bending of the tonguerelatively thereto, said member having beads on its folded edge toengage the adjucent surface of' the rece tacle.

12. In a file` the com )ination of a receptacle, and aplurality ot'double wall parti- 116 tions in said receptacle, the walls of eachpartition being joined at their outer edges and having spring materialbetween other portions tending' to expand said partitions.

1.3. In a file, the combination of a recep- 130 tarle, a pluralitv ofdouble Wall partitions in said receptacle, the walls of each partitionbeing joined at their outer edges, and helical springs contained in saidpartitions and secure-d thereto.

14. In a file, the combination of a. receptacle, a plurality ot' doublewall partitions in said receptacle, the walls of each partition beingjoined at their outer edges, and helical spiral springs contained insaid par- 130 1 tions and secured at its lower edge titions and' securedthereto to collapse into the thickness of the wire of said springs.

- l5. In a file, the combinationof a receptacle, and a plurality ofvdouble wall partitions in4 said receptacle, the walls ot each partition4being joined at their outer edges and having springgmaterial betweenother port-ions tending to expand said partitions, said partitions beingof flexible material of sull'icient body to suppoi't themselves byresting at their inner edges on said recepf having spring materialbetween other portions tendingto expand said partitions, a

yieldable connection between lower edges of adjacent partitions, and asingle wall partition between adjacent double wal-l partito saidyieldable connection.

'18x Inv a file, the combina-tion of a receptacle, a plurality of doublewall partitions in said receptacle, the walls of each partition beingjoined at their outer edges and having spring material between otherportions tending to lexpand said partitions, a yieldable connectionbetween lower edges of adjacent partitions, a single wall partitionbetween adjacent double wall partitions,

i said single wall partition having a' tongue extending below saidyieldable connection, and a ietaining rod engaging said tongue to holdsaid single wall partition and the adjacent double wallll partitions insaid rerceptacle.

'19. In a file, the combination of a receptacle, a plurality in saidreceptacle,

an indexing device tacle, a plurality of double wall partitions in saidreceptacle, the walls of each paitition being joined at their outeredges and having spring material between other portions tending toexpand said partitions, and an indexing device secured to the upper edgeof each partition. i

20. In a file, the combination of a recepof double wall partitions thewalls of each partition being joined at their outer edges'and havingspring material between other portions tending to expand saidpartitions, and extending downward on both sides of each partition andprovided with eyelets formed from one side of said device and extendingthrough the partition and clenched on the other side of said dca tongueextending from one vice, said device extending above the partition andforming anindexing means.

21. A partition fora file, comprising a double wall of flexiblematerial, the outer. edges ofthe walls being joined together and havingspring material between other portions tending to expand saidpartition.'

22.' A partition for va file, comprising a double wall of lexiblematerial, the outer edges of the walls being joined together and havingspring mater-iai between other portions tending to expand saidpartition, and ofsaid walls to engage a retaining rod. v

23. A partition construction for tiles, comprising a plurality of doublewall partitions,` the walls of each partition being joined at theirouter edges and having spring material between other portions tending toexpand said partition, and yieldable material connecting the free edgesof adjacent partitions.

24. A partition construction for iiles,co1n prising a plurality ofdouble wall parti-,yv

tions, the walls of each partition being joined at their youter edgesand having spring material between other ypoitioiis tending to expandsaid partition,A yieldable material connecting the free edges ofadjacent partitions, and a partition between adjacent walls of saidpartitions and having a projecting tongue to engage a retaining rod,'-said gonnecting material being cut away to permit said tongue to projecttherethrough.

A partition for files, comprising a double wall ot' flexible material,the outer edges of said walls being joined together, and a helicalspring disposed between said walls and connected to said partition.

26. A partition arrangement for files,

" comprising the combination of a plurality of double wall `partitionsof flexible material, the walls joined at their outer edges, a helicalspring between the walls of each partition and connected to saidpartition, and yieldable connecting material between the free edges 'ofthe walls of adjacent partitions 2T. A partition for files, comprising asheet of material havingv Ia projecting tongue, and a reinforcing devicefor said tongue folded around its outer edge and having a tube formedfrom one of its Walls extending through said tongue and the op- Apositewall of said device and expanded to clamp said device in engagement withsaid tongue, said device extending beyond the tongue ito the bodyportion of said sheet to stiileii and reinforce the connection of saidtongue to said sheet.

28. A partition for i'iles, sheetof material having tonguer` and areinforcing device for said tongue folded around its outer edge and.having a tube formed from one of its walls compri sing a of eachpartition being a projecting isol extending through said tongue and theopposite Wall of said device and expandedto clamp said device inengagement With said tongue, said device extending beyond the tongueonto the body portion of said sheet to stiiin and reinforce theconnection of said tongue to said sheet, said'device having :iprojecting'bead on its folded edge to bear against-the adjacent surfaceof the receptacle containing said partition.

29. A partition for a file, comprising a sheet of material provided onits supporting edge with a rounded projection for free slidingengagement upon a containing receptacle.

30. An index device for use with artitions of a le comprisinga sheet omaterial folded so as to extend upon opposite sides of the partition andproject beyond the outer edge of the same, one of the walls of saiddevice having one or more eyelets" formed therefrom and' extendingthrough the partition and Vthrough the otherwall of said device andexpanded on the outer side thereof to hold said device in placeandreinforce the outer edge of said partition.

3l. An index device for use `with partitions of a file comprising asheet of material folded so as to extend upon opposite sides of thepartition and project beyond the outer edge of the same, one of theWalls of said device having one or more eyelets formed therefrom andextending through the partition and through the other Wall of saiddevice and expanded on the outer side thereor` to hold said device inplace and reinforce the outer edge of said partition, said device havingan opening in its projecting portion to disclose the classifyingcharacter or legend carried thereby.

82. A partition for a file, comprising a double Wall of flexiblematerial, the outer edges 'of the Walls being joined together, and saidpartition having a spring con struction tending to separate said wallsfrom each other.

,33. A parution for a file, comprising a double Wall of flexiblematerial, thevouter ledges of the walls being joined together,

said partition having a spring construction tending to separate saidwalls from each other, and a tongue extending from one of said Wallstoengage a retaining rod.

34. Av partition construction4 for files, comprising a, plurality ofdouble wall partitions, the Walls 'of each partition being joined attheir outer edges and each partition having a spring constructiontending to separate its walls from each other-,and yieldable materialconnecting the free edges of adjacent partitions.

35. In a file, the combination of'a recep# tacle, and a plurality ofdouble wall partitions in said receptacle, the Walls of each partitionbeing joined at their outer edges and each partition having a springconstruction tending to separate its walls from each other.

36. In a le, the combination of a receptacle, a plurality7 of doubleWall partitions in said receptacle, the walls of each partition beingjoinedV at their outer edges and each partition having a springconstruction tending to separate its walls from each other, a tongueextending from each Wall of each partition, and a retaining rod carriedby the receptacle and passing through said ton les.

37. A partition for a file, comprising a sheet of material provided onits su porting edge with a plurality of rounde projections for freesliding engagement upon a containing receptacle.

38. A partition for a file comprising a sheet of material-provided onits bearing edges with rounded' projections for free sliding engagementupon a containing receptacle.

. CHARLES B. ULRICH. fitnesses ALBERT C. BELL,

H. C. JACOBS.

iopiea o! 'this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by 'addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, l. 6."

